These Balls Aren’t for Juggling – Bowling Ball Characteristics

Bowling balls may seem simple to the common eye, but they are much more than solid spheres with finger holes in them. The balls are designed to perform on various surfaces, and to compliment the style and strength of each individual bowler. The wooden lanes used in the game of bowling are treated daily with mineral oil. The mineral oil is used to protect the lanes from the action of the bowling balls. There are various types of bowling balls available, but they all have the same general characteristics. The circumference of the average bowling ball is usually between 27.002 and 27.704 inches.

The balls have varying weights to accommodate the varying strengths of many consumers. A bowling ball can weigh from 6 pounds to 16 pounds. The weight of the ball encompasses everything from the coverstock (material) to the core, which contains the weight block. The coverstock is the material used to make the outer surface of a bowling ball. There are four types of coverstock used in the making of bowling balls. The four coverstocks are polyester, urethane, resin, and particle. The material of the coverstock determines how a ball will roll. In general, the harder the coverstock, the straighter the ball will roll down the runway. Polyester balls are usually recommended for beginners and casual bowlers. On the other hand, urethane balls are the high-performance alternatives for professionals.

Polyester bowling balls have been available since the 1960s. They tend to skid, and roll straight with a small hook, and are most suitable for extremely dry lanes. In the 1970s bowling manufacturers developed urethane coverstocks, which are softer than polyester. The softer material produces more friction and hooks more than polyester balls. Resin balls are stronger than bowling balls made of other materials. The balls are known for their sharper hooks and greater power, which gives them the greatest strike potential. The resin balls are reserved for the most advanced bowlers, and can be used in all lane conditions. The first resin particles were added to urethane coverstocks in the 1990s. The resin particle additive increased the friction between the balls and the lane, and increased the hook potential of the ball. The resin balls evolved into particle balls when manufactures added ceramics and glass. The added textures increased friction and gave the ball more grip in oil.

The core of a bowling ball is the part of the ball with the largest concentration of mass. The sophistication and position of the core of a bowling ball are key features in the dynamics of a bowling ball. The sophistication and position can be explained by the radius of gyration (RG), which is a property used to determine how easily the ball will rotate. RG is the measurement of where the weight is located inside of the ball (relative the ball’s center). The core position, size, shape and density can adjust the RG. For example, a centralized core locates the weight in the center of the ball resulting in a low RG ball. If the core is placed off-center, the weight of the ball is shifted resulting in a high RG bowling ball, or what is known as a cover-heavy ball. Generally, the lower the RG, the quicker the ball will pick up its revolutions.

Three holes encompass the common bowling ball; two are for the fingers, and one is for the thumb. Usually inserting all three fingers into the ball holds a bowling ball. Alternatively, only the fingertips are placed into the ball. Using the fingertips may give less grip, but a bowler will be able to lift the ball better, and create more hook. There may also be a fourth, non-gripping hole (balance hole) in the bowling ball, which is used to fine tune the ball’s reaction. Twelve holes are allowed in each ball; one for each finger and thumb on both hands, one hole to bring a ball into static weight tolerances, and a “mill” hole to check the hardness of the coverstock just below the surface of the ball.

Does the Bowling Ball Make That Much Difference in a Game?

There are absolutely hundreds of bowling balls available on the market, which can be overwhelming and confusing to a person who is trying to choose a bowling ball. The key to choosing the right ball is to understand the differences between bowling balls and know what you are trying to achieve with your bowling ball purchase.

Some information you should know about bowling balls before making your purchase is that a bowling ball is mostly composed of two major parts, the Coverstock and the Weight Block.  The Coverstock is the outer shell of the bowling ball. This is the part of the ball that you see and the most influential element of the ball when it comes to hook potential.  This is because it is the part of the ball that is actually making contact with the lane surface.

There are four main types of bowling balls: plastic, urethane, reactive resin, and particle, which is proactive. The big difference between these coverstock materials is how they perform and react on the lane surface. When a ball is rolled down the lane, friction is created from the contact between the coverstock and the surface of the lane. The more friction that is created from this contact the more hook potential the ball has. The amount of friction that is created will vary depending on the type of the ball’s coverstock.

Plastic coverstock is a really smooth surface and creates the least amount of friction.  Therefore it has the least hook potential available in a bowling ball. This type of ball is good for beginners who want their own ball with a proper fit to their hand. Intermediate and advanced bowlers also use this type of ball for shooting spares because of the balls very predictable reaction due to its very low hook potential.

Urethane coverstock is more durable than plastic and creates more friction between the ball and the lane surface. This means that urethane has a higher hook potential than plastic. Due to the increased friction on the lane, urethane tends to deflect less which results in better pin action. This type of ball is a more advanced step up from a plastic because it is still very controllable but also offers increased hook potential.

Reactive Resin coverstock is less durable than plastic or urethane, but creates more friction, hook potential, and pin action. Due to the much higher friction they create, reactive resin balls are more sensitive to lane conditions, and operator error.  Therefore they are usually a little more difficult to control. This type of ball is designed for the intermediate or advanced bowler who wants to be able to hook the ball and a lot of potential lane reactions.

Particle coverstock has a very “bumpy” feel to it, which allows the ball to dig into the lane surface.  This creates the most friction available on heavily oiled lanes. Mostly intermediate and advanced bowlers use this type of ball.

The Weight Block of a bowling ball is found inside the ball beneath the coverstock and has a lot to do with how your ball will perform. The two main types of weight blocks are high mass and low mass.

A High mass weight block will promote a lot of length down the lane because it doesn’t usually allow the ball to get into a heavy roll, and a Low mass weight block will allow for that heavier roll, which can increase hook potential.

When choosing a bowling ball, be sure to consult with someone who knows a lot about them because finding the right ball for your size, weight, and skill level will make all the difference as well as help you make the right investment.